Like many makers of fine and popular luxury products, Omega is not immune to having their designs copied. While many reputable makers of inexpensive to moderate priced watches often parallel popular maker designs -- some disreputable makers outright attempt to make and sell fake and counterfeit versions of these watches. These are illegal copies that typically sell for USD $50-150 -- but occasionally people try to pass these off as real when selling them. For more information, see the zOwie FAQ topics What about fake, replica, look-similar, and counterfeit watches? and What should I know about buying watches on the Internet?.

Here, zOwie presents a 'Rogues Gallery' of fakes we've discovered. These photo excerpts are taked from photos posted on Internet replica sellers' websites and various online auctions. Use this as your recognition guide for identifying known fakes that may be offered to you. As always, your safest route is to buy only from well respected, official sources.

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Seamaster: Read the Labels Carefully
1) Should say PROFESSIONAL CHRONOMETER, not AUTOMATIC.
2) All labeling besides the Omega name and symbol are missing, as are all the red details on the hands.
3) 'Seamaster' not in correct typeface, missing PROFESSIONAL CHRONOMETER and the depth rating.
4) Used vintage form of Omega logo, should not have anything but logo and Omega name above hands.

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Seamaster: Details, Details...
1 & 2) Missing hour marker at 3 o'clock, date too far inboard, minute hand does not reach minute markers, dot on second hand should be smaller than one on hour hand, should not have metal rims around hour markers.
3) Oversized flourescent marker on bezel.
4) Helium Relief Valve missing.

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Seamaster: Black and Blue and See-Through Too
1) Current model Pro Diver never made in black, missing white line around date window.
2) Pro Chronograph not made in black either, subdials should match dial color, subdial hands should be red, missing milled edges around base of chronograph pushers.
3 & 4) See-through backs have never been available on real Seamaster Professionals.

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Seamaster: Missing Links
1) Simple imitation of the elaborate 9-section Seamaster bracelet links.
2) Back side of bracelet shown to left shows it is a one piece link.
3) Clasp lacks release pins on sides, text is raised instead of engraved.
4) Clasp is completely incorrect.

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Seamaster: A Seahorse of Different Color & Crowning Around
1) This 'Seamonster' back was so good I had to look closely at a real Seamaster's back to tell the differences. This one is missing the Omega symbol below the seahorse and the deeper embossing effect of the circle around the seahorse.
2) But often, they simply do not try hard to the the back right.
3) Bezel at least twice as thick as it should be. Helium valve should not have raised edge -- this valve looks like the crown should. Lacks extra faceting and contouring of upper and lower case edges.
4) Crown should have raised edge -- this crown looks like the helium relief valve should, except it is missing the Omega symbol.

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Speedmaster: Schumacher Sees a Caution Flag
1) Should say AUTOMATIC, not CHRONOMETER. Speedmasters not labeled with depth rating. Omega logo incorrectly reproduced. Dots on either side of 12 o'clock marker should be white, not black.
2) Base of hands are incorrect -- minute and hour hands should match dial color at base, second hand should have a circular hub.
3) Simple imitations of the elaborate 5-section Speedmaster bracelet links.
4) This model should have month/day/date on upper dial -- not in traditional date window. Missing split-second chronograph hand. Should say AUTOMATIC, not PROFESSIONAL.

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Constellation: Cindy Doesn't Wear Falsies
1) Constellations, like most watches, use IIII, not IV. Date window should be outlined in gold, not black. Minute markers should stand alone, not be between rings.
2) Missing the star under the word Constellation. 'Diamonds' should be held only by four corners, not completely surrounded by setting.
3) Definitely not the high quality, very unique, Constellation bracelet.

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